Association of Health Behavior Enablers and Barriers at each Stage of Change

CDC data show that 75% of Hawaii adults do not meet fruit and vegetable (FV) recommendations and 48% do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. The purpose of this study was to examine if associations exist between enablers and barriers of health behavior (FV consumption and PA) and various stages of change in the Transtheoretical Model. A statewide cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted from September through November 2007. The majority of respondents were female (65.3%), had some college education (72%), and incomes >$40,000 (67.8%). The average age was 53.9+15.8. Largest participant ethnic groups were Caucasian (38.2%), Japanese (18.2%), and Hawaiian/Part Hawaiian (17.7%). Enablers to meeting FV recommendations included increased vitamins and minerals intake and improved health. Barriers included expense, time constraints, and meal planning difficulties. Enablers to meeting PA recommendations included built environments conducive to PA: bad weather, personal stress, and time constraints were barriers. Positive correlations were seen between the enablers to meeting recommendations and the stages of change for FV consumption; similarly, negative correlations were seen with barriers. As expected, those meeting FV and PA recommendations were more likely to be in the action and maintenance stages of change while those that did not meet the recommended servings were in the precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages. Tailoring health education to target perceived enablers and barriers for those at various stages of change may prove useful in health interventions.